My Genealogy Hound

David J. Masters, farmer, of Durham Township, Washington Co., Ark., and son of John Masters, whose sketch appears elsewhere, was born in Madison County Ark., August 22, 1846 and made his parents’ house his home until he attained his twenty-fourth year, with the exception of the time spent in the army. March 10, 1862, he enlisted In Company K, First Arkansas Volunteer Calvary, and served until receiving his discharge in 1865 when he returned home and continued to reside with his parents until 1870, at which time he began farming for himself on rented land. This he continued for seven years, and then purchased his present farm of 140 acres, partly under cultivation. He has devoted the most of his time to railroad contracting, furnishing timber for railroad bridges, etc., and since the completion of the St. Paul branch of the ‘Frisco line, in 1886, he has been dealing in tie timber. He has also done a great deal of freighting for Sedalia, Peirce City, Joplin, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Ozark and the adjoining counties. Mr. Masters was first married in 1868 to Miss Sarah Ann Thompson, who was born in Benton County, February 5, 1850, and by her became the father of one child, Willie Alice, who is now the wife of W. P. Bruce, of Crawford County, Ark., and the mother of one child, Maud Lee. Mrs. Masters died November 7, 1868, and Mr. Masters afterward married Mrs. Sarah E. (Jones) Morton, a native of Washington County, born February 4, 1846. She grew to womanhood in Texas, and was first married to W. A. Morton, who died about one year after their marriage. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Masters: Robert Lee, Georgia Ann, John H., Mary V., Katie E. (deceased) and Effie. Mr. Masters is a Democrat, a Master Mason and a member of the Knights of the Horse. His wife belongs to the Christian Church.